Yarn dispensing means



A. J. AMMERALL YARN DISPENSING MEANS Nov. 24, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v Filed March 12; 1959 Nov. 24, 195 9 A. .1. AMMERALL' 2,913,800

YARN DISPENSING MEANS Filed March 12, 1959 2 She ts-Sheet 2 United States Patent YARN DISPENSING MEANS Albert J. Ammerall, Amsterdam, Application March 12, 1959, Serial No. 798,951

4 Claims. (Cl. 28-1) This invention relates to means for dispensing a multifilament yarn in such manner that its final condition will present a large number of very fine partially curled filaments sufiiciently spaced from each other to provide a decorative fluffed material. Such flufied material, supplied in white or colors, may be used as decoration on Christmas trees, centerpieces on tables and in many other situations which will suggest themselves to the user.

The material in the preferred form is initially a yarn comprised of a substantail number of very fine nylon filaments. These filaments are continuous and are assembled in yarn form with substantially no twist. Obviously yarn without twist cannot be readily handled because of the tendency of the filaments to separate and catch or snag. Accordingly, I propose to assemble the yarn initially in chainstitch formation, in which condition it may be handled readily and packaged for distribution. By having the yarn in chainstitch formation, a very substantial length of yarn can be compactly maintained until it is to be used. Then by merely pulling on the end of the yarn progressive automatic disengagement of the loops at the end of the chainstitch assembly occurs.

In order to cause the filamentsto produce a fluffed out appearance, it is necessary that they be pulled firmly over the edges of appropriate elements so that as their direction is twice reversed through 180 degrees, such flexing under conditions of tension will cause the filaments to curl in random fashion to assume a fluffed condition when finally released.

The invention therefore is concerned not only with the method of treating the yarn to cause the flufied condition but also with novel means for bringing about this result by the mere pulling on the end of the yarn. The mechanism for converting the yarn from chainstitch condition to a fluff includes a pair of closely spaced elements between which the yarn passes after it has been released from the chainstitch and also means for causing the chainstitch portion of the yarn to be dissolved at a particular locality, which place is necessarily in advance of the first turning edge of the released yarn. The mechanism is such that the releasing of the loops of the chainstitch is automatically accomplished without jamming. Thus the entire piece of yarn may be withdrawn from the dispensing element in a manner that produces the resulting desired fluffed condition.

The loop releasing and fluffing mechanism may be mounted in any convenient manner, and there is disclosed herein a dispensing unit which includes storage space for the yarn in its chainstitch formation and holds the converting elements in a fixed operative position near a discharge opening through which the yarn is drawn by the user.

These and other objects of the invention will be more clearly understood as the description proceeds with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shows the dispensing unit with a short length of Withdrawn and fluffed yarn extending therefrom.

2,913,800 Patented Nov. 24, 1959 Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. l drawn to enlarged scale showing the storage compartment and the Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the converting device showing in more detail how the automatic releasing of the loops of the chainstitch is accomplished as the yarn is withdrawn from the holder.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of Fig. 3.

Referring to the several figures, there is in the preferred form a container or holder 2 preferably made in two parts 4 and 6 which, after loading, can be assembled and permanently fixed at their juncture 8.

The dispensing means which acts to cause the automatic release of the loops of the chainstitch material is indicated generally at 10 and will be described in detail hereinafter. V

The holder 2 is preferably circular in cross-section and is loaded with a length of yarn 12. The yarn in chainstitch formation is packed within the confines of the two parts 4 and 6 of the holder. The leading end of the chainstitch portion is indicated in Fig.2 at 16, and it will be understood that all of the rest of the stored yarn 12 is likewise in this chainstitch condition.

Enlarged details of the chainstitch formation are shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This configuration is so well understood that it is believed unnecessary to describe it in more tion.

detail at this time. Suffice it to say that such formation may be completely unravelled by pulling on the end thereof. Such end is indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 as at 18 in which the final loop 20 upon being pulled through the next loop 22 will result in putting loop 22 in a condition to be pulled out from the next loop 23. the same as loop 20 was pulled out from loop 22. This action continues progressively until the entire chainstitch has been dissipated.

In order to bring about the progressive dissipation of the chainstitch without jamming of the loops and at the same time to manipulate the filaments of the yarn, all of Whichare substantially parallel and devoid of twist, I have provided the following construction:

A pair of substantially flat elements 24 and 26 are provided. These elements are of rigid material and sufiiciently strong to withstand the passage of thefilaments thereoverunder appreciable tension. The elements are tapered as shown in Fig. 2 so that they may fit within the tapered end of section 6 of the holder 2. The two elements are resiliently held in face to face relation by a member 28 which in a preferred form may be an elastic band. This band is of such dimensions and strength as to hold the elements 24 and 26 in close face to face rela- The free end 30 of the yarn is fed under band 28 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and thence doubled back over the first edge 32 of the first element 24' as at 34 to pass in a reverse direction as shown at 36 in Fig. 4 between the opposed faces of the elements 24 and 26. When the yarn reaches the second edge 38 of the second element 26, it is then doubled back over this edge as at 40 and drawn forwardly as at 42 to pass through an opening 44 at the end of the holder 2.

In operating the device, the user holds the container 2 in one hand and grips the yarn as at 46 near the opening 44. The yarn is then pulled rapidly from the holder and in so doing the chainstitch portion continuously advances from the storage area and the loops are successively and automatically released at the position of the elastic band 28 so that the now parallel and straightened fibers progressively move to and around the first edge 32 of the first flat element 24. Thence they pass under appreciablethe second element 26, at which position they are again doubled back and spread over a wider area to move on to the discharge point 44.

The dragging of the filaments over the edges 32 and'38 in reverse directions produces a curling effect in much the same manner curling of a filament can be produced by pulling it over ones thumbnail. As a result, when the yarn has been pulled out in sufficient quantity for the use intended and released, the initially parallel filaments will have separated with each assuming a somewhat curled or kinky condition which produces a decorative flufied material.

In a preferred form, the first and second elements 24 and 26 are made of a single thin sheet of fiberboard which is doubled about the midpoint as at 48, but it will be understood that two separate sheets could be used if preferred. The first edge 32 of the first element is formed semi-circularly for guiding purposes. The edge could be straight if preferred. The sheets could be made of other materials, such as metal or plastic, for example.

The elastic 28 serves a dual purpose. It not only draws the elements 24 and 26 toward each other to produce the necessary friction on the yarn as it passes therebetween, but it also acts as the means for checking the advance of the chainstitch portion of the yarn. It will be understood that if preferred two independent. sets of elastic elements could be used to produce these results.

The elastic'28 serves'a further purpose as can be seen in Fig. 2, where it is wedged against the opposed interior walls of the tapered part 6 of the holder 2. The elastic thus serves to anchor the elements 24 and 26 in a fixed position in the holder.

Because of the relative low cost of the complete unit, it is contemplated that once the holder has been emptied it will be discarded and not refilled. However, if desired, the user can separate the two parts of the holder as at 8, whereupon the dispenser 10 can be removed and the end of a new piece of chainstitch yarn can be threaded through the dispensing elements in the manner heretofore explained with the free end coming out through opening 44. The dispenser is then in condition for further use.

It is my intention to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Means for dispensing a substantially untwisted multi-filament yarn which has been placed in chainstitch formation, so as to cause appreciable separation and curving of the filaments thereby to produce a decorative flufied material, said means comprising elements having transversely extending longitudinally spaced first and secnd edges, means for pressing said yarn into frictional engagement with said elements, a transversely extending elastic memberon the face of one of "said elements, said yarn in chainstitch form extending to Said elastic member, then in released form extending under said elastic member and to the said first edge, said yarn doubled back over said first edge and passing in the reverse direction to the said second edge, said yarn doubled back over the second edge to extend substantially parallel to the yarn under said elastic member, said elastic member acting to resist passage thereunder of the chainstitch portion of said yarn whereby as said yarn is drawn over the first edge of said first element and over the second edge of said second element said chainstitch will be continuously pulled out at said elastic member and said filaments will be caused to gradually separate and to assume a spaced flufied condition when released.

2. The means for dispensing yarn as set forth in claim 1, said elements being mounted within a holder having a storage compartment for yarn in chainstitch form at one end and an opening at the other end from which said yarn may be withdrawn.

3. Means for dispensing a substantially untwisted multi-filament yarn which has been placed in chainstitch formation, so as to cause appreciable separation of the filaments thereby to produce a decorative flufied material, said means comprising first and second superimposed elements, each element having first and second oppositely disposed edges, resilient means holding said elements together, a transversely extending elastic member on the face of said first element, said yarn in chainstitch form extending to said elastic member, then in released form extending under said elastic member and to the first edge of said first element, said yarn doubled back over said first edge and passing in the reverse direction under friction between said first and second elements, said yarn doubled back again over the second edge of said second element to extend substantially parallel to the yarn under said elastic member, said elastic member acting to resist passage thereunder of the chainstitch portion of said yarn whereby as said yarn is drawn over the first edge of said first element and over the second edge of said second element said chainstitch will be continuously pulled out at said elastic member and said filaments will be caused to separate and to assume a spaced flufied condition when released.

4. The method of handling a multi-filament untwisted yarn for producing a decorative fiuifed material, said method comprising the steps of placing said yarn in chainstitch formation and then withdrawing said yarn from said chainstitch formation and passing it over successive edges which bend said filaments first in one direction and then in the opposite direction with said filaments being under appreciable tension between the points of said bending whereby said filaments when released after said second bending will be appreciably separated and in a flufied condition. 

